Louisville has long been a city that opens its arms to immigrants and refugees. From Bosnians and Haitians fleeing conflict to Cuban and Central American families seeking opportunity, our community has been shaped and strengthened by those who call Louisville home. That’s why it’s so heartbreaking to see our city reversing course on the values we’ve always stood for.

Mayor Craig Greenberg’s decision to allow a 48-hour ICE hold on immigrant inmates in the city jail breaks with a 2017 ordinance designed to protect our immigrant neighbors from unjust detainment. Now, instead of upholding Louisville’s proud tradition as a welcoming city, we are cooperating with federal policies that put families at risk of separation — with no guarantee that doing so will prevent raids or keep federal funds flowing.

This change wasn’t made with the input of the very communities it affects. Local immigrant rights organizations were not genuinely consulted before the decision was announced. And now, fear is rising. Families are afraid to go shopping. Children are afraid to go to the zoo. People are living in the shadows — not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because our local government chose to cooperate with ICE over protecting our neighbors.

The mayor says this policy is meant to protect the broader immigrant community. But real safety doesn’t come from holding people in jail longer to help ICE — it comes from building trust, ensuring due process, and standing up to federal overreach when it violates our community’s values.

We call on Mayor Greenberg to immediately end the 48-hour ICE hold policy and reinstate the protections that once made Louisville a model for inclusion. Reaffirm our city’s commitment to dignity, fairness, and compassion — and make it clear that no one in Louisville should have to live in fear.

Sign this petition if you believe Louisville should protect, not punish, its immigrant neighbors.

Photo: Jon Cherry/The New York Times